Election 2026: Chambers of Commerce call on political parties to back South Island as driver of NZ economic growth

NZ Herald30 Jul, 2026 05:00 PM4 mins to readAll eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have come together to launch a shared election policy platform. Photo / NZMEFor the first time, all eight South Island Chambers of Commerce have come together to launch a shared election policy platform, calling on all political parties to back the South Island as a driver of New Zealand’s next phase of economic growth. The manifesto, Growing New Zealand from the South: , sets out a shared vision for unlocking investment, productivity and sustainable growth across the South Island economy, while providing political parties with a clear and actionable blueprint for supporting regional business success.